General Gordon’s Star for the Siege of Khartoum 1884-85. 3rd Grade in pewter, as awarded to non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the Khartoum Garrison

The original Star and Crescent suspension present sans the loose suspension, the suspension now stitched on the attached silk riband

Obverse: Seven pointed star adorned with Stars and Crescents. The centre design being a 'Grenade' (a bow to the insignia of Gordon's parent corps, Royal Engineers). With inscription in Arabic 'The Siege of Khartoum' and below the Islamic 'Hegira' year '1301'

Reverse: Plain concave

Metal: Pewter cast

Dimension: 60mm (h) not including the Star and Crescent & 54mm (w)

Weight: 40g

This decoration was conceived, designed and ordered struck by General Charles Gordon, R.E., during the fateful siege of Khartoum 1884-85

The decorations were to be awarded in three grades or classes, referred to as gold (1st Class), silver (2nd Class) and pewter (3rd Class) issues. The 'gold' (gilt) being awards for senior officers / officials, with the rank of Bimbashi and higher; the silver (frosted pewter) for junior officers / officials with the rank of Mulazim to Saghkologasi and the pewter being awards for non-commissioned officers and other ranks

The grades / classes notwithstanding, in reality none of the decorations were made in precious metals, with higher grades being finished / gilded in gold and silver colour. All were reported to have been struck by the Khartoum jeweller Bishara Abdel Molak

A particularly fine surviving example of this rare seen decoration

Condition: About GVF

Code: 24291